The cohesion fund’s role in financing local-government investments in road infrastructure

Jerzy Piotr Gwizdała

Abstract

The growing needs of local communities, deficiencies in road infrastructure, and under-investment in the public sector has led to the search for alternative sources of project financing. Poland’s accession to European Union structures has opened the possibility of obtaining co-financing from EU funds for various types of projects. Aid can be obtained from several types of funds, mainly intended for investments in economic development. Investments in the field of transport carried out by local-government units have been supported by funds from the European Union budget over two six-year financial perspectives: 2007-2013 and 2014-2020. During this time, funds were allocated to local governments to compensate for differences, expand the road network, and to improve the quality of transport. The authorities of individual territorial local-government units received support from structural funds and cohesion policy funds. In return, they were able to count on benefits such as financing for services and road infrastructure facilities that meet the needs of the community, and access to new technologies.